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½ûÂþÌìÌà Matthew Madden

Matthew Madden is a Drawing Major at ½ûÂþÌìÌà Dartmouth. Born and raised in Franklin, Massachusetts, Matthew has been drawing his entire life, back to his early childhood where he would consistently write on the walls. Before coming to ½ûÂþÌìÌÃ, Matthew received an associate’s degree at Massasoit Community College in 2022. Currently Matthew is in the process of creating a comic series called “Reforming Kent Benson”. This series will focus on a kid named Kent as he and his friends combat the many challenges of reformatory school life.

Statement

Colorful storytelling, attention to detail and creative thinking are the current aspects of my work that I value the most. As a child, I would draw characters on paper and cut them out as an alternative to buying more toys. This kind of character development and invention is still very present in my practice today. I employ a range of materials and mediums including charcoal, graphite, colored pencils, ink, painting and digital software for drawing. I am most drawn to materials that allow me a direct connection to manipulate shapes, even when working digitally, I hand draw each element.

I enjoy telling stories through my artwork, specifically through the use of colorful cartoon characters. I mostly prefer to do so through creating comics, which are short but have a direct and compelling narrative. My practice or work is driven by a diverse array of inspirations, from the rich tapestry of comics and cartoons like Dana Terrace and Jeff Kinney, to the guidance of my mentors, family, and community. Their influence helps me move forward, infusing my work with fresh perspectives and boundless creativity.

My thesis project is the beginning of an online comic series called “Reforming Kent Benson”. This plot centers around a teenager named Kent and his multitude of friends as they survive reformatory school life, simultaneously battling their personal demons and persisting against a corrupt school system. I intend to tell relatable stories and touch upon serious topics like bullying, loss, academic stress, often with a humorous touch. I hope that with my work, I can bring people together and hopefully make a difference and fix the school system for the better. 

Matthew Madden

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